Tinnitus is the perception of a ringing, roaring, hissing, whistling, buzzing, pulsing or whooshing sound with no external source. It’s common to experience tinnitus at some point in your life – usually after a period of intense noise exposure, like attending a concert – but for some, it is persistent and bothersome. Tinnitus can occur in one or both ears and vary in severity. While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are many management options available.

Get Help for Your Tinnitus

The first step to finding relief is to talk to an expert audiologist. An audiologist will perform an exam and take your medical history, paying special attention to possible contributing factors like blood pressure, kidney function, medications, diet, allergies, stress, noise exposure and diseases of the auditory system.

Tinnitus often co-occurs with other conditions affecting the ears, including impacted earwax, ear infection, middle ear tumors, Meniere’s disease, vascular problems, circulation disorders and hearing loss. In fact, 90% of people with tinnitus also experience hearing loss.

How Is Tinnitus Measured?

Since you are the only one who experiences your unique tinnitus symptoms, it is impossible to measure symptoms objectively. Instead, your audiologist will ask you a series of questions to determine severity, such as:

Which ear is affected? Left ear, right ear or both ears?
Is the sound constant or intermittent?
Do you notice your symptoms more during certain times a day or during specific activities?
Can you describe the sound of your tinnitus?
Does the sound have a certain pitch? High pitch or low pitch?
What is the volume of your tinnitus? Quiet or loud?
Does the sound fluctuate or change?
How does tinnitus affect your quality of life? Does it impact your sleep, work or ability to concentrate?
How bothersome is your tinnitus? Mild or debilitating?

Your audiologist will then provide information about your tinnitus, including what is likely causing it and how to minimize symptoms. Many patients report feeling relieved just to know more about their condition, especially once serious underlying causes are ruled out.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for a tinnitus evaluation, call the experts at The Audiology Offices today.